This gulet cruise offers a marvellous mix of fantastic ancient sites, including monumental wonders like Knidos and Kaunos and gorgeous landscapes – it is probably the least developed stretch of Turkey’s turquoise coast.
On this gulet holiday in Turkey we head east from Gümüşlük, ancient Myndos, to Göcek along a gorgeous and virtually undeveloped coastline.
We visit some of the greatest gems on Turkey’s southwest coast: Kaunos with its exquisite rock-cut temple tombs, and beautifully preserved Knidos, a monumental marbled city arranged around a double harbour.
As well as these celebrated sites where excavations have been going on for decades, we visit ancient towns like Phoenix and Lydae, set in remote and beautiful locations, that remain completely untouched.
This cultural tour in Turkey is a perfect combination of magnificent sites, quiet coves, wondrous walks, breathtaking vistas and glorious swims.
Request a brochure or to book your place, please contact our office.
Day 1: Our boat is in Gümüşlük, a pretty village about an hour to the west of Bodrum airport. Welcome drink and dinner on board.
Day 2: South to spectacular Knidos, where decades of digging, still ongoing, have revealed a beautiful and well planned ancient city. Set at the very tip of a sinuous peninsula, this was a city built for maritime trade. We explore the city that was once famous for exhibiting the fabled first statue of a nude goddess: Praxiteles’ Aphrodite.
Day 3: To Loryma, a magnificent Rhodian fortress guarding a strategic bay, a glorious spot for a swim.
Day 4: We head inland to explore Phoenix, a wild and remote citadel city, with beautiful landscapes and grand vistas all around.
Day 5: Heading north east we take a boat through a lagoon into the reed lined Dalyan River to see the city of Kaunos. Its monumental public buildings, surrounding a silted up harbour, speak of its once great wealth and fame.
Day 6: A leisurely morning cruise to the beautiful inlet of Ağlımanı, where we will walk up an ancient track to the city of Lydae. Monumental tombs stand on the crest of a hill overlooking a forgotten valley filled with the tinkle of goat bells.
Day 7: A day of pure relaxation as we make our way to Göcek, at the head of a beautiful island studded bay.
Day 8: Transfer from our gulet to Dalaman airport, approximately 30 minutes away.
Arrival and Departure Information
Arrival Airport - Bodrum (Milas)
Departure Airport - Dalaman
We recommend you arrive at the gulet in Gümüşlük (approx an hour from Bodrum airport) in the late afternoon/evening on Sep 21, and leave the boat in Göcek (approx 30 minutes from Dalaman airport) first thing in the morning of Sep 28. We will arrange local transfers from Bodrum airport at the start of the tour, and to Dalaman airport at the end of the trip.
Guests can board the gulet after 17:30 on the first day. You are more than welcome to arrive earlier to drop off your bags, but please be aware that the crew will be busy cleaning and tidying until late afternoon making everything ready for your group.
Suggested Flights
If you are staying in or connecting via Istanbul then the easiest way to get to and from the gulet is to fly. There are a number of airlines that offer domestic flights in Turkey such as Turkish Airlines the national flag carrier in Turkey and there are alternative flights to and from Istanbul with some of Turkey’s low cost airlines such as Atlas Jet, and Onur Air
Arriving Saturday September 21
Depart İstanbul / Atatürk 16:40 arrive Bodrum 17:55 TK2516 Turkish Airlines
Departing Saturday September 28
Depart Dalaman 09:00 arrive Istanbul / Atatürk 10:20 TK2553 Turkish Airlines
Please note: Flights are subject to change. Please contact Turkish Airlines for exact details.
Booking Flights
The cheapest way to book flights is directly with the airline online.
If you prefer to book with a travel agent, we are happy to recommend specialists in a number of countries around the world, please contact our office for more details.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a requirement of our booking conditions and we recommend you investigate the options thoroughly to make sure that your trip is properly covered.
In the UK we work with specialist travel insurers Milsom Howard Ltd. 22 Highfield Drive, Ickenham, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 8AN, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1895 234 919 • Fax: +44 (0) 1895 231 864 • Email: globetrotter@milsomhoward.com.
Our travel insurance specialist in the US is Julie Gorny, Email: juliannegorny@yahoo.com • Tel: +1 773 972 8849.
Alternatively you might like to look at an online travel insurance company like World Nomads to give you a comparison in terms of price and coverage.
If you would prefer not to take out travel insurance you will need to complete a travel insurance waiver form.
Visas
Visas are easily obtained on arrival at Istanbul airport (or other local airports). A visa costs £10 for UK Nationals, $20 for USA Nationals and AUS $20 for Australian Nationals. Only US dollars and Euros are accepted at the airports and visas must be paid for in cash. Once you have arrived in the terminal, do remember to obtain your visas before queuing up for immigration control. You can get your visa in advance, before you arrive in Turkey, from any Turkish Consulate, but it entails time and an extra visa processing fee.
Istanbul
If you are planning to stay in Istanbul before or after your gulet tour we have included below links to more information and things to see and do.
Istanbul Destination Guide
Istanbul Travel Article
Custom Tours
If you are thinking of extending your trip to Turkey to include visits to Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul or further afield, please contact our office for further information.
